I’m Thankful For You

Your subscription means the world to me.

Author, memoir coach, and developmental editor Christine Wolf

Thank you for subscribing to my Substack. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

It’s the night before Thanksgiving, and I’m about to sleep, but before I do, I want to tell you how much your support of my newsletter means.

I’m typing these words with my thumbs while in bed. It’s midnight, and I’ve just spent the last 7 hours preparing for Thanksgiving. There’s much to do tomorrow, too, and I’m loving every minute of it.

While cooking earlier today, I streamed some so-bad-it’s good stuff on tv, including Bridesmaids. My God, I love that movie and how it lifts my spirits every time I see it. Tonight, however, my spirits weren’t even in need of lifting. I felt positive and solid as I went about my work, looking forward to hosting family and friends.

The thing is, for the past decade, I’ve been in a deeply committed partnership with Anxiety, so let me tell you: Today felt amazing. After the surreal devastation of the election, today felt so peaceful with all its waves of calm and deep familiarity. Ignoring social media and “Breaking News” alerts, I stayed present with my work and my family…and it was pure joy.

The aromas, the recipes, the holiday muscles getting their workout left me feeling “normal” today. For the first time in months, I felt truly comfortable.

And, as I climbed into bed tonight, happy and relaxed, that old friend, Anxiety, started whispering, “Don’t get used to this feeling. It doesn’t last.”

Damn. Way to kill a vibe, you big jerk.

But that’s how my mind operates. Hyper vigilance keeps my thoughts racing; it keeps my alert-levels simmering over a medium-high flame of worry.

Still, there’s some good news here. I’m finally getting better at recognizing — and even interrupting — this maladaptive pattern, and I’ve figured out why. I’ll write more about that discovery — and so many other things — in my upcoming posts.

For now, know that I look forward to sharing SO MUCH good news with you in 2025. Not trying to be mysterious here — it’s just that it’s well past midnight now and I’m totally wiped.

There’s lots of good stuff coming your way — including more of my don’t-hold-back commentary on life and writing and figuring all this stuff out. Lots of workshops and classes for paid subscribers…lots of interviews with writers on craft…lots and lots and lots of exciting stuff happening, and I can’t wait to share it with you! As one small example, my Silent, Virtual, Drop-In-Anytime Write-Ins (offered 3x/week) resume in January 2025.

For now, I thank you for being here as I process life by tapping out my thoughts and exchanging ideas with you. Thank you. I’m grateful we’re connected, and I appreciate that you’re along for the ride. I never take for granted that you could be reading lots of other things right now.

At this moment, though, I can’t keep my eyes open, so I’m signing off for now.

Thanks for reading this bleary-eyed brain dump. I may never be able to adequately describe just how much your support means to this writer.

Wishing you many healthy, beautiful days ahead — however you celebrate them.

With love,

Christine

Christine Wolf is the author of Politics, Partnerships, & Power: The Lives of Ralph E. and Marguerite Stitt Church. She’s a developmental editor and trauma-informed memoir coach with an incredible roster of clients who leave her in awe every day. Want to work with Christine? Get in touch at christinewolf.com.